school

The kids have been in school several weeks now and we're settled into our weekly routine. When looking back through photos, I realized I didn't post about their official first day. This was the night before school started...a night the kid's talk about and anticipate throughout the whole year. Our backwards supper night and only night when dessert comes first. Even baby cakes got in on the deal having no idea why...but certainly enjoying it.
Early risers that first day...excited and ready to go.
Kaiya started Pre-K this year. She goes everyday for half of the day. She absolutely LOVES school and is sad when the weekends come around because she'd rather be at school.
Don't ask me why I get a backpack shot on the first day of school...it's just a crazy mother thing I guess. Her teacher, Mrs. Rose, is a jewel and Kaiya adores her. I didn't cry when sending Kaiya to school like I did for Caedmon when he started a couple years ago. I knew she was ready I guess...so grown up and excited.
Caedmon started first grade this year. He took a big jump academically over the summer. We worked consistently with a workbook his Kindergarten teacher gave us through the summer and it helped him tremendously.
Mrs. Witmer has been a fun and excellent teacher for Caedmon this year. I appreciate her desire to see him grow and to challenge him. I also appreciate how well she communicates with us...keeping us informed of ways we can help him succeed. Spelling tests started this year. I was envisioning long hours and late nights of practice...to our delightful surprise, we have a star-speller. I'm so thankful that it is almost an effortless task for him to get an A+ every week on his tests. His strengths this year are reading, spelling and verse memorization. Math has been more of a struggle and he has to work a lot harder at it...that has been where the long hours of practice have come into play. We're proud of the strides he is making.

The Amazing Christmas Tree Sleep Over

On Friday I had two of the most compliant little helpers I've ever seen. Fridays are cleaning days for me and I especially wanted to get the house cleaned this past Friday because of our plans to put up the Christmas tree that evening. Toys were picked up and put away quickly without any second reminders. First time obedience has never been practiced so well. As I vacuumed the rugs, my two little assistants ran out quickly with their own "vacuums" to assist me. It was quite funny to observe their obedient behavior that day because honestly we've entered a new phase in their relationship as brother and sister. Now that Kaiya is no longer a baby, she realizes that she can have an opinion too...and the competitive sibling rivalry has been introduced to our family over the past few months. "I saw that tree over there, before you did" "Mama, she's touching me" are a few examples of words proclaimed recently to the tune of the whining song.

Why so eager to obey on this particular day? They knew that we were putting up the Christmas tree that evening with another special little bonus...a big family sleep over in the living room on the first night the Christmas tree was put up. We pulled a couple mattresses out and watched a Micky Mouse Christmas movie together before calling it a night. Caedmon's words for the evening were "This is AMAZING, Mom!"

Mother's Day Traditions

Here is a picture of my very first Mother's Day as a mom in May 2004. I had gone through so many previous Mother's Days just aching to be a mom so this was a VERY special day for me. We had a picnic at Pokagon and took our bikes along as well. A beautiful day!Since then, we've been going back to Pokagon each year for Mother's Day. Sometimes having a picnic at the park and other times eating the special Mother's Day Brunch in the restaurant. I love it there! Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for the idea...they've been going for years as well. This year we ate at the restaurant and had their immaculate Mother's Day brunch buffet since the weather was rainy outside. My sister (seven months pregnant with baby Emmi), my mom & me.
This day was also my niece Lexi's 10th birthday. After lunch, we had a little birthday party for her in the hotel lobby. Lexi is such a sweetheart and I love her excitement and energy. She always has a beautiful smile on her face and just adores our children...we adore her too!
This cool kid just got his drivers license last week!
The rain certainly didn't put a damper on our day. Kevin drove my mom and I over to the Outlet Mall right down the road and let us shop while he and my Dad watched the kids. Thanks honey! You're the greatest!

Here's a picture we took at home before church. Caedmon gave me a little present he had made at school (Parents Day Out)...a scrapbook with pictures of him throughout the whole school year. I loved it! Here are more gifts from the kids.

And from my sweet husband...a purse, some bath & body stuff and a foot rub when we got home.